About this episode
Matt Santangelo discusses his journey from Gonzaga basketball player to community leader in Spokane.
On this episode of If Not Now, When? , we sit down with Gonzaga legend and community leader Matt Santangelo to dive into his journey from standout point guard to a key figure in Spokane’s basketball culture. As a leader of the 1998-99 Zags team that made history with Gonzaga’s first-ever NCAA Tournament run, Matt helped lay the foundation for decades of success. But his impact extends far beyond the court. After his playing days, Matt dedicated himself to growing Spokane’s basketball scene, serving as the former Executive Director of Hoopfest , the world’s largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament, and playing a major role in the development of Hooptown USA . His work has helped cement Spokane as a true basketball city, inspiring generations of athletes and bringing the community together through the game he loves. Whether you’re a die-hard Zags fan or just someone who loves Spokane, this conversation is packed with insights, stories, and a deep appreciation for the city’s hoops culture. Don’t miss it!
People in this episode
Host: Joshua Hissong
Guest: Matt Santangelo
Topics covered
- basketball culture
- community leadership
- Gonzaga history
- sports development
- Spokane
Keywords
- Matt Santangelo
- Gonzaga
- Spokane
- basketball
- Hoopfest
- community
- NCAA Tournament
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Hoopfest
Books & works: If Not Now, When?
Places: Spokane, Hooptown USA
More episodes of If Not Now, When?
- Jason Clerget · May 27, 2026 · 2h 1m
- Jesse Scheller · April 29, 2026 · 1h 20m
- Peter Sanburn · March 18, 2026 · 56 min
- Michael Roos · February 2, 2026 · 1h 7m
- Blue Stiley · July 7, 2025 · 1h 28m
- Josh Hissong – The Original “If Not Now, When?” Moment · June 11, 2025 · 55 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the If Not Now, When? podcast page.